KNAPHILL councillors and members of the concerned residents’ association have been left stunned by a petrol station’s application to extend its opening hours.

The Total garage in the High Street had a bid to operate a 24-hour licence turned down after running into local opposition.

But on March 6, the station lodged a second application with Woking Borough Council, this time seeking approval to open between 6am and midnight.

Phil Stubbs of the Knaphill Residents’ Association believes extending the store’s trading hours will lead to another change of licence bid.

He said: “This all stems from Clifton’s transformation into a supermarket. Everyone in the area is now jockeying to be in the best position when the store eventually opens. A change of opening times will lead to another application to change their licence.”

Councillor Saj Hussain also aired his concerns.

He said: “We’ve only just won our fight against Total’s 24-hour licence bid in the heart of the village and we’ll be coming together to do the same this time around.”